Judge's gavel (illustrative)
Judge's gavel (illustrative)iStock

On Sunday, Ashkelon Magistrate's Court extended the detention of a mother and father suspected of abusing their son, a four-month-old baby, by five days.

During the court hearing, the police representative noted that the baby, who has been hospitalized, suffered “irreversible” brain damage.

Last week, the parents called emergency services to their home at a village near Ashkelon, and a MDA team transported the baby to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, for treatment for a severe head injury and internal injuries that were subsequently discovered after testing.

Hospital staff immediately suspected abuse, and after follow-up testing, they contacted police and welfare authorities. Initially only the father was detained for questioning but after questioning, the mother also attached herself to the incident, and both were placed under arrest.

Welfare authorities have already opened an investigation into the case. Meanwhile, the baby remains hospitalized.